The 2011 x3 is a great car, with a couple problems. Its like a the best burger u've ever had..exept with a cold piece of cheese and stale paddies.

First, the electronic steering wheel. This just completely spoils the driving experience, my 335i hydraulic steering wheel was 1000x better..I am NOT feeling the joy of driving... I rather play with my Wii controller, because that's what it feels like. It takes out the experience from driving, and really gets on my nerves everytime I drive the car out.

Second, the new n55 engine. It sounds like a grandma coughing. My old n54 engine had a strong, solid growl. But even on cold start, the n55 rattles, and sounds like a lawn mower. There is also a steady rumbling sound that definitely doesnt sound like a healthy engine. I dont know how much better, the n55 is compared to the n54 if it is, but the sound is just dissapointing.

All of you new x3 owners out there..do you notice the same problems or have any opinions on this?

Did you test drive the car before buying it? If you have the 35i and got the sport activity package, switching into "sport" mode make a nice difference in the steering and suspension and is definintly more "tight" and controlled. I have the 35i and the engine sounds great. Always has a nice "growl'" to it and doesn't sputter like a lawn mower. I have no complaints thus far!

You have a couple of options on steering. Tires maybe an issue. Have you checked your tire pressures? Do you remember what tires were on the car you road tested? You could ask your dealer to try another X3 with different tires. Have you had your dealer check toe-in? If it's not correct that can impact steering feel.

On engine note, what did your test X3 sound like? Was it different? I'm assuming it was otherwise you wouldn't have bought the car if sound is that important to you, correct?

No I didnt have the time to test drive the x3, I never thought the steering and feel would be so different from my 335. Maybe I got a bannana, thats why my engine note doesnt sound as nice? If that is the case and I complain do you guys think they can replace my x3?

No I didnt have the time to test drive the x3, I never thought the steering and feel would be so different from my 335. Maybe I got a bannana, thats why my engine note doesnt sound as nice? If that is the case and I complain do you guys think they can replace my x3?

No time to test drive the X3 ? you commited on buying a $60K car without trying it first ? you know who's to blame... sorry for being harsh, but you know, that's not the correct way to buy a car ! especially if you're going to be picky about the car's handling afterwards (unlike 90% of MB or Audi owners)...

You can try to get a refund from BMW Canada because you don't like how the engine sounds. Just expect it to fail ! Try to find something better next time...

Handling and engine sound are subjective things, and you could've spared you all this questionning if you test drove the F25 X3 first

No I didnt have the time to test drive the x3, I never thought the steering and feel would be so different from my 335. Maybe I got a bannana, thats why my engine note doesnt sound as nice? If that is the case and I complain do you guys think they can replace my x3?

You seriously bought a car without test driving it assuming it would feel like your 335? If I'm spending $50k +, I'd be darn sure to make time for a test drive.

No time to test drive the X3 ? you commited on buying a $60K car without trying it first ? you know who's to blame... sorry for being harsh, but you know, that's not the correct way to buy a car ! especially if you're going to be picky about the car's handling afterwards (unlike 90% of MB or Audi owners)...

You can try to get a refund from BMW Canada because you don't like how the engine sounds. Just expect it to fail ! Try to find something better next time...

Handling and engine sound are subjective things, and you could've spared you all this questionning if you test drove the F25 X3 first

North X3, you took the words right out of my mouth! I was typing just about the same thing you were.....I'm speechless.

I agree with the posts regarding buying without testing, so no need to add my rhetoric.

Coming from an E90 with Sport pak, I did not have any expectation that the X3 would feel and handle like my E90 - in fact, I was resigned to give up that 'feel' once I stepped out of the E90 and into the X3. But I have been very pleased with the feel and handling of the X3 and think it is literally as close as you can get to a taller 3 Series.

As others have suggested, play with the Sport and Sport + options if you have them becuse you can feel the difference. But ultimately you need to realize that you are trying to compare two totally different type vehicles, and you'll just keep being disappointed if you don't realize that.

I am totally pleased with my new 35i as to steering and engine. In fact, I find the growl of the N55 engine to be great sounding, and I have had others comment on that already. I think my car is better than either of the demo cars I drove.

If one buys something without driving it, and then complains they don't like it, I think you only have yourself to blame. Guess one must have a lot of money to buy an X3 without a test...??

The 2011 x3 is a great car, with a couple problems. Its like a the best burger u've ever had..exept with a cold piece of cheese and stale paddies.

First, the electronic steering wheel. This just completely spoils the driving experience, my 335i hydraulic steering wheel was 1000x better..I am NOT feeling the joy of driving... I rather play with my Wii controller, because that's what it feels like. It takes out the experience from driving, and really gets on my nerves everytime I drive the car out.

Second, the new n55 engine. It sounds like a grandma coughing. My old n54 engine had a strong, solid growl. But even on cold start, the n55 rattles, and sounds like a lawn mower. There is also a steady rumbling sound that definitely doesnt sound like a healthy engine. I dont know how much better, the n55 is compared to the n54 if it is, but the sound is just dissapointing.

All of you new x3 owners out there..do you notice the same problems or have any opinions on this?

My 28i engine sounds horrible to me at idle. It sounds like a diesel engine, and i'm still wondering if maybe i have a defective one. I had some worries because my production video never showed my car being driven off the factory floor (camera was unavailable). I actually don't mind the steering (i have the variable steering) and my previous car was an 2002 M3 which had great a steering feel. I love how the car handles despite the not so great look (compared to the X5 and the audi Q5). I've also been enjoying the premium sound and can definitely notice the difference in my iphone songs (encoded between 128k and 256k) and the HD radio vs normal FM. Lastly, top view with parking assist is a great feature that i've already used more than 15 times in 3 days making sure that I know where my vehicle is between the lines or how close to the curb I am so I don't curb my rims.

If that is the case and I complain do you guys think they can replace my x3?

Well, imagine yourself in the dealer's shoes would you really replace someone's car just because they asked nicely or in your cause complained? Hoping the dealer will replace your car because you have buyer's remorse is about as naive as dropping $60k on a car without test driving it.

With that said I do agree that the electric steering is crap, you can make the steering tighter by putting the car into "sport" or "sport+ mode" but even then it still feels very artificial. To make matters worse the car reverts back to "normal mode" every time you turn off the car. The N55 engine does sound quite loud and not in a good way but it's something that I could live with. If you really can't live with the sound perhaps you should look into putting in a better exhaust system.

I agree with the posts regarding buying without testing, so no need to add my rhetoric.

Coming from an E90 with Sport pak, I did not have any expectation that the X3 would feel and handle like my E90 - in fact, I was resigned to give up that 'feel' once I stepped out of the E90 and into the X3. But I have been very pleased with the feel and handling of the X3 and think it is literally as close as you can get to a taller 3 Series.

As others have suggested, play with the Sport and Sport + options if you have them becuse you can feel the difference. But ultimately you need to realize that you are trying to compare two totally different type vehicles, and you'll just keep being disappointed if you don't realize that.

Did you test drive the car before buying it? If you have the 35i and got the sport activity package, switching into "sport" mode make a nice difference in the steering and suspension and is definintly more "tight" and controlled. I have the 35i and the engine sounds great. Always has a nice "growl'" to it and doesn't sputter like a lawn mower. I have no complaints thus far!

I wish sport mode had more than just three options to select. At the moment there's chassis, powertrain, and both. Chassis controls steering tightness, powertrain controls shift points and throttle response. It would be cool if they could add throttle response as it's own option because w/ powertrain selected the car holds gears for way too long even when lightly pressing the pedal. I've definitely turned some heads before, it's like "hey look at me my penis is this big and I like reving my car to 3-4k rpm when going 10-20 mph."

I'm not even going to start in on this debate again. Yes, more changes than just the throttle. Have you tried it?

Assuming that you are not referring to faster transmission shift points with sport auto of X335i, are you claiming that your sport activity package allows you to change the suspension responses, aka giving you electronic dampers?

Assuming that you are not referring to faster transmission shift points with sport auto of X335i, are you claiming that your sport activity package allows you to change the suspension responses, aka giving you electronic dampers?

Yes

In Sport Mode, the suspension gets tighter, firmier. That is, if you don't uncheck this option in the Settings menu of the iDrive.